The Immigration Court System is heavily backlogged with 1.3 million asylum cases. With the historic increase in the influx of immigrants entering the United States, immigration judges fear the system will experience a further slowdown.
Customs and Border Protection reported that agents encountered more than 180,000 migrants at the southern border in May alone, the largest number in the last two decades. » Read More
A.G. Rules in Favor of Victims of Domestic and Gang Violence
On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland rescinded a Trump-era decision that had made it much more difficult for victims of domestic abuse and gang violence to apply for asylum in the United States. » Read More
White House Terminates “Remain in Mexico” Program
On Tuesday, the Biden administration formally ended the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” program, which had imposed potential asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their applications for asylum processed in the U.S. immigration court system. » Read More
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) disclosed in a Federal Court filing that it is ending the use of family detention and transitioning it to short-term facilities. These facilities will release families after no more than 72 hours.
ICE presented this declaration in filings made in the Flores Settlement Agreement. » Read More
U.S. Consulates to Prioritize Immigrant Visa Backlog
The Biden administration announced this week that it was directing U.S. embassies and consulates a priority on the processing of fiancé(e) visas and permanent residence visas (better known as “green cards”). The announcement reverses course from the previous administration, which had halted most green card applications filed abroad. » Read More
President, Democrats Present Immigration Reform Bill
On Thursday, President Biden and Congressional Democrats released a long-awaited, sweeping bill to provide immigration reform in the United States. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez will introduce the bill to the U.S. Senate.
The bill will affect millions of individuals, both those currently in the United States and those looking to immigrate to the United States in the future. » Read More
Several Immigrant, Including Children, Deported to Haiti
Despite the Biden administration’s announcement of a policy that would focus its deportation efforts on terrorists, violent criminals, and other high-priority cases, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) recently deported many immigrants, including several children and infants, to Haiti. » Read More
James McHenry, Director of the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), who took office during the Trump administration, has stepped down from his role effective January 31, 2021. This move comes as the Biden administration replaces top government officials. The EOIR, a sub-agency of the United States Department of Justice, primarily conducts removal proceedings of noncitizens and adjudicates appeals arising from such removal proceedings. » Read More
Biden Administration’s New Executive Orders on Immigration
On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed three executive orders on immigration, further crystalizing his agenda for the next four years.
The first executive order officially creates a task force that will seek to reunite families that were separated at the border during the previous administration, specifically revoking former President Trump’s executive order that established the child separation policy. » Read More
Federal Court Freezes 100-Day Deportation Pause
On January 26, 2021, a federal judge in Texas, following a challenge by the Texas State Attorney General’s Office, issued a 14-day nationwide temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of President Biden’s 100-day pause on most deportations as part of his many executive actions regarding immigration. » Read More
